The poll showed 55% of fans are convinced the show is rigged because that was the only explanation for why “joke” acts have not been voted off.

Meanwhile, two-thirds said they were “bored” by contestants such as Scouser Christopher Maloney, 34, and Essex lad Rylan Clark, 24.

The survey, from discount website MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, comes as ratings slumped to a four-year low.

A senior X Factor source said: “To suggest the show is a fix is ridiculous. Production were as shocked as everyone and while the result was very unexpected, both James and Ella garnered the lowest number of votes.